Dale Tate - Gun Maker
(209) 763-9040

daletategunmaker@att.net

Continental Background

Dale Tate was an apprentice and employee for six and a half years at the world-renowned firm of J. Purdey and Sons, London, England.  In addition, he was a restoration specialist at the prestigious firm of Peter Dyson and Sons, England. Prior to coming to America in 1995 he was a principal in Tate and Tate Gun makers of Eastbourne, England.

Dale is a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen for gun making.  Dale is a professional gun fitter, NSCA Certified shooting instructor, gun repair and restoration specialist, and custom gun maker.  Dale has presented numerous seminars and shooting demonstrations both in England and the United States, as well as appearing on the ESPN TV program Outdoor World. He has been the subject of numerous articles in such national publications as Double Gun Journal, Shooting Sportsman, Sporting Clays, Women and Guns, Diablo, G.Q. and Fitness Magazine.

The Tate English Gun fitting Experience

The British would never think of using a shotgun for hunting or for sport, which was not properly and expertly fitted to each individual's dimensions. Just as everyone cannot wear the same suit of clothes, neither can everyone shoot the same average production stock shotgun.  Dale Tate is able to not only establish a person's exact gun measurement, but then fit each individual with his/her unique and exact fit. Through the use of a special "try gun" and "patterning board," he can establish and record an individual's gun measurements.

Stock alterations must be performed to precise measurements for each individual shooter. Dale is able to "bend" a wood stock using the English hot oil method. He can also adjust the comb and pitch, lengthen the stock with wood or recoil pads, and shorten the stock to an individual’s exact specification.

Once a shooter has a custom-fit shotgun, Dale will instruct the person on proper shooting techniques needed to improve their individual field and sport shooting skill. With a properly fitting shotgun and correct shooting techniques, a shooter can dramatically improve one's "score" and "enjoyment."

Sporting Gun Engraver
Charles E. Lee
(209) 763-5192

Charles was born in England and started work for the world-renowned gunmaking company of James Purdey & Sons in March of 1980. He worked in the factory for the five years before becoming a freelance engraver and continuing to work for Purdey's in a sub-contract capacity for the next fifteen years until his move to the U.S.A.

He has done commissions for almost all of the Best British gunmakers including Holland & Holland, Greener, Churchill, McKay Brown, Watson Bros., as well as individuals.

Since his move to America he has done work for Tate Gunmakers (with whom he has close ties), a commission on the re-issued Schofield revolver for Smith & Wesson, many double rifles and shotguns for John Rigby & Co. of Paso Robles, as well as many custom rifles for various custom rifle makers and, again, numerous individuals.

No job is too small from a single screw to a full gun, or for that matter, anything else that is possible to cut using only hand tools such as knives, or in one case a brass dashboard for a Street Rod.